Duke Ellington was born on April 29, 1899 in Washington DC. He died May 24, 1974. His actual name was Edward Kennedy Ellington, he was nicknamed "Duke" by a boyhood friend who admired his regal air, the name stuck with him. Duke was a founding father of Jazz music, he started playing piano at the age of 7.An accomplishment of his, would be the fact that he led his band for 50 years. A few of their songs were "sophisticated lady", "in a sentimental mood", "don't get around much anymore." He led his band for more than half a century. At age 15 he was already a composer. Ellington gave up his training in design and an arts scholarship at Armstrong High school to start playing professional piano gigs for parties, dances and clubs. Duke eventually moved to New York and thats when he founded his band named the "Washingtonians". In 1927 Duke and his band maintained a permanent spot at the Famous Cotton club. He stayed in contact with his classical piano teacher Henry Grant, who was a good influence on Ellington. The harmonies of Ellington's compositions owe a debt to Henry Grant's teaching of the harmonies of European composers like Ravel and Debussy, according to Billy Taylor, another Washington great jazz pianist.
Quotes by Duke Ellington: "A man is a god in ruins", "You've got to find some way of saying it without saying it."
"I merely took the energy it takes to put and wrote some blues." "Gray skies... are just clouds passing over."
Duke Ellington:
Duke Ellington was born on April 29, 1899 in Washington DC. He died May 24, 1974. His actual name was Edward Kennedy Ellington, he was nicknamed "Duke" by a boyhood friend who admired his regal air, the name stuck with him. Duke was a founding father of Jazz music, he started playing piano at the age of 7.An accomplishment of his, would be the fact that he led his band for 50 years. A few of their songs were "sophisticated lady", "in a sentimental mood", "don't get around much anymore." He led his band for more than half a century. At age 15 he was already a composer. Ellington gave up his training in design and an arts scholarship at Armstrong High school to start playing professional piano gigs for parties, dances and clubs. Duke eventually moved to New York and thats when he founded his band named the "Washingtonians". In 1927 Duke and his band maintained a permanent spot at the Famous Cotton club. He stayed in contact with his classical piano teacher Henry Grant, who was a good influence on Ellington. The harmonies of Ellington's compositions owe a debt to Henry Grant's teaching of the harmonies of European composers like Ravel and Debussy, according to Billy Taylor, another Washington great jazz pianist.
Quotes by Duke Ellington: "A man is a god in ruins", "You've got to find some way of saying it without saying it."
"I merely took the energy it takes to put and wrote some blues."
"Gray skies...
are just clouds passing over."
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